How about some happy news???
In March we downsized and moved from a big house in rural VA to a small 2-BR apartment in a three-floor apartment building with about 120 units in Northern Virginia. Most of our neighbors are a lot younger, they work all the time, and we rarely see them.
The building has a gym on the first floor, so, five days a week I go down the stairwell to the gym for a workout.
Last Wednesday as I was walking down the hall toward the stairwell, an apartment door farther down the hall opened and a young lady came out, holding her little Yorkie dog on her shoulder, going out to walk the dog. She looked back at me, said "HI, GOOD MORNING," I returned her greeting and continued down the hall a few paces behind her.
Suddenly, she stopped and turned around -- I was certain she was afraid I was following her or something -- she smiled a huge smile, held up her left hand, and there on her ring finger was the biggest diamond I've ever seen -- "I GOT ENGAGED LAST NIGHT!!!!!!!"
I congratulated her, told her we had been married for 59 years, we spoke a few more minutes, then, she and her Yorkie hopped on the elevator and I headed down the stairs.
I've thought about that encounter ever since. With all the meanness, evil, hate, and general upsetting word that spews from every outlet 24/7, it's good to see normal young people doing normal things. It really is.
I may be an old optimist but that early morning encounter gave me hope.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Hate and racism are taught, and taught to gyp the "students," not the scapegoats.
Some people, it takes a lifetime (or more) to figure out that HATE IS NOT HAPPINESS.
Be happy.
From a very un-average old guy.
My nephew just got married to the girl next door. It was a beautiful ceremony on a golf course, and the reception was at the club house. Hopefully my younger brother will be a grandfather in the near future. We got take in all the good news we can! 
There was a nice-looking older guy, maybe 60 or so, getting a cart. It was the kind of cart I like and there are not too many of them that are ever available. If you want one, you generally have to hunt one down and sometimes walk about a half block to do so.
Standing in the vicinity was a woman engaged on her cell phone.
As I approached the door, the man pulled out a cart from the very few of them available and gave it to me. I gave him a big smile and said thank you. Then he took one for himself and entered the store.
I looked at the woman on the cell phone and asked, "Did you see that?"
She nodded with a big smile on her face. I said, "Chivalry is not dead!"
I really liked your story, AverageOldGuy. I think it's nice that she felt comfortable sharing it with you. Good sign for your new residency.
I always give people the benefit of the doubt. They probably mean well and they probably want to be friendly. Living in Pittsburgh I've always had nice neighbors and it's fairly easy to make friends. Even drivers are friendly and polite here.
I dunno, I'd buy a 40 room mansion if I could afford it. 
